What is spousal maintenance?

December 5, 2016Accel Admin

When you file for divorce, there are many financial aspects that need to be taken into consideration. The financial situation of both spouses will likely change, as they are now probably only relying on one income to support themselves and their children. However, there are remedies to assist with the possibility that one spouse does not make enough income to financially support themselves after the divorce. You can request that your former spouse is ordered to pay you maintenance each month. This can assist you in your finances until you are able to completely support yourself financially. Spousal maintenance, sometimes known as alimony, is not automatically granted just because you want it. You will have to take measures to prove to the court that you truly cannot support yourself without the supplementary income of your spouse.

If you are granted spousal maintenance, it can either be permanent or temporary. Most of the time, it is just temporary until you can support yourself. However, with many divorces that occur later in life, one of the spouses may be granted permanent spousal maintenance. This would take place in a situation in which one of the spouses never made a career outside of the home for themselves. Divorces with marriages that lasted over 20 years are known as vintage marriages. In many of these long term marriages, one spouse was the primary source of income and the other spouse worked to take care of the children. In this situation, they would probably not be able to support themselves after the divorce because they are likely close to the age of retirement anyway.

Everyone’s marriage is different and therefore, everyone’s divorce will also vary. If you have questions regarding the possibilities of spousal maintenance in your divorce, contact an experienced divorce attorney who can assist you.

Leslye M. Schlesinger is an experienced divorce attorney from New City, NY serving Rockland and Westchester County with compassion and integrity. She helps clients through alternative dispute resolution. If you need an attorney to guide you through the alternatives to litigation, contact Leslye M. Schlesinger for a consultation.

What makes our firm different than other Rockland County divorce attorneys?